The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-19
Lost County Records.

On Christmas night, 1882, several of the
large books in which were recorded the
transfers of real estate for many years in
Fulton county, mysteriously disappeared
from the office of the Clerk of the Superior
Court, and though every effort has been
made, and large rewards offered, no trace of
them has ever been found. This was very
serious misfortune, as it rendered it impos-
sible to trace the titles of a great part of the
real estate of the county in the public rec
ords.
The misfortune was not irreparable, how
ever Mr.. J. D. Collins, at one time clerk
of the court, had made, by authority of the
Legislature, an abstract of the
greater part, if not all, of the missing books,
which was his private property Shortly
afterward he was beaten for reelection,
and was not in office when the books disap-
peared. The loss of the records made Mr..
Collins abstract very valuable, and he
Immediately began the business of furnish
ing abstracts of titles This business after
wards developed into the Land Title War
ranty Company, in which Mr.. Collins re-
tanned considerable share of stock and
his copy of the county records.
The theft of the books caused great
deal of excitement, which did not die out
readily, and many conjectures as to the
motive of the criminal Nothing has de-
veloped in all these years to throw light on
the mystery, and though, as far as known,
Mr.. Collins was the only man who profited
by the disappearance of the books, he has
not been charged with any connection with
the robbery. He has always stood we'll in
the community, and does now, as is shown
by the fact that he is one of the present
County Commissioners.
Out of his holding this Office has arisen
the last complication in the matter The
County Commissioners have for long time
endeavored to obtain copies of the records,
at one time passing resolution demanding
them as right, to which demand the Land
Title Company refused to accede Against
this resolution and other steps to restore the
public records Mr.. Collins and Mr.. Hunni-
cult, also stakeholder of the Land Title
Company, voted The grand jury OF
the county, indignant at their action,
has requested them to resign. They have
not yet done so.
The action of the grand jury has renewed
interest in the matter, and there is a great
deal Of discussion as to the respective rights
of the county and of the holders of Mr..
Collins abstract. The courts may posi-
bly, be called upon to decide between
them, and it is little singular
that an appeal to them should
have been so long delayed, if efforts TO pur-
chase copy of the records have failed
The transfers of property in a county in
which is situated so large and so rapidly
growing city as Atlanta must
be very numerous, and it is cer-
tainly n hardship that citizens should
be taxed by a private corporation, il
they wish to buy property with any feeling
of security. The county ought to have
purchased copy of Mr.. Collins record long
ago il ii could have been obtained for q
reasonable price. If he refuses TO furnish
a copy at any price that is reasonable
the question whether he has right TO such
a monopoly should be tested in the courts.
a bill TO provide for supplying lost county
records has been introduced in the Senate
by Senator Northcutt.